Abstract: A starved electrolyte battery utilizes resilient fibrous mat electrode plate separators. The resilient electrode plate separators extend beyond the peripheral edges of the electrode plates in the plate stack(s) of the battery and a) encapsulate, at least the major surfaces and certain portions, preferably all, of the electrode plate edges, and b) form electrolyte reservoirs within the battery external of the plate stack(s). Preferably, the resilient fibrous mat separators are made of microfibers and may be essentially uniform in density throughout their thicknesses or may include one or two relatively high density, high tensile strength fibrous surface layer(s) and a relatively low density, more resilient fibrous layer integral with and, in one embodiment, intermediate the two surface layers.

Abstract: Resilient battery separator media, especially adapted for use as battery separators for starved electrolyte batteries, are formed from air laid, fibrous mats of randomly oriented, entangled microfibers which may be needled to further entangle the fibers. The fibrous mats may be essentially uniform in density throughout their thickness or may include one or two relatively high density, high tensile strength fibrous surface layer(s) and a relatively low density, more resilient fibrous layer integral with and, in one embodiment, intermediate the two surface layers wherein the fibers in the surface layer(s) of the mats are more entangled than the fibers in the resilient layer. The fibrous mats, with one or two surface layers, are formed from the air laid fibrous mats by further entangling the fibers at and adjacent one or both surfaces of the mats, e.g. through hydroentanglement, relative to the entanglement of the fibers in the resilient fibrous layer.

Abstract: A resilient battery separator, especially suited for use in a starved electrolyte battery, is made of an air laid fibrous mat of randomly oriented, entangled microfibers having a mean diameter between 0.5 and 2.0 microns. The air laid mat weighs between 50 and 450 g/m.sup.2 and has a thickness between 0.01 and 0.5 inches. The fibrous mat may be essentially uniform in density throughout its thickness or may include one or two relatively high density, high tensile strength fibrous surface layer(s) and a relatively low density, more resilient fibrous layer integral with and, in one embodiment, intermediate the two surface layers. The microfibers in the surface layer(s) are more entangled than the microfibers in the resilient layer. In a starved electrolyte battery, the separator has a thickness, when subjected to a loading of 1.5 psi, that is equal to or greater than the spacing between the electrode plates of the battery and, preferably, at least 110% of the spacing between the electrode plates of the battery.

Abstract: A low density, high temperature resistant insulation material that is very thermally efficient, is easily moldable and is unaffected by water. The insulation material is especially suitable for use in aviation, aerospace and automotive applications. The insulation material contains inorganic fiber; inorganic binder; hydrophilic particulate inorganic material; hydrophobic particulate inorganic material; polymer; and preferably a setting agent and an opacifier.